Jolly Karungi - Defeating Life's Challenges Through Continuous Learning and Perseverance

When you fall, you can always stand up and do it again and again
and again until you make it. That is what perseverance means to
Jolly Karungi, a recent graduate of the David Eccles School of
Business and Eccles student of the year in 2020.


During her time at the Eccles school, she participated in the
Business Scholars and First Ascent programs in addition to a
variety of other student organizations on campus. She graduated
with a major in Information Systems.


Jolly was born in the Republic of Congo and lived in a refugee
camp in Uganda for several years before coming to Utah. 


She shares the struggles she had to endure living in different
environments and the difficulties navigating systems without
knowing how to speak the language. However, her passion for
learning and adapting together with perseverance helped her
overcome the challenges.


Jolly also tells her plans after graduation, her future goals,
and what excites her the most in going back home where her family
is. 
Episode Quotes: 

Jolly's definition of perseverance


"If you have a passion, you need to do something; you do not give
up. It's tough. It's not easy. So, for me, it's doing things no
matter how hard they are and not giving up. It doesn't matter how
many times you fall. You can always stand up and do it again and
fall again and do it again until you can do it."


Why it's helpful to lean on people and ask for help when
needed


"I realized that there are people who are willing to help, as
long as you ask. People won't just help you because they don't
know if you need help or not. Not everyone will be able to help
you, but they will refer you to someone who will help you. So,
leaning on people and asking for help, that's what got me
through."


What motivated her to go to school and continue learning
even though it's hard


"I just loved learning. I knew if I was not in a class, I was not
learning. It's true I was not learning at all even when I was
there, but just going there every single day, it's a process of
me to learn how to learn. It's better just staying home and
sleeping, but how would that help you? So, just being there and
having the passion of learning and achieving something. Things
will not find you sitting. You have to keep looking for them."


Jolly's advice for people who are also struggling to
navigate new systems


"I would say just go for it, do something that you love. I know
sometimes people want to satisfy their family or their parents.
They tell them to do this, but they want to do that. Just be
honest with yourself and do something that you like.


Also, the struggle is real. You're not alone. It's real for
everyone. I'm not going to tell you it's perfect. So, you're
going to struggle but also remember there's support. Don't
struggle alone. So many people are willing to help you out,
standing on your side even though you can't see them. They are
always there. Just go ahead and ask for help or reach out to
people in the school and the community."
Show Links:

LinkedIn

Business Scholars Program

First Ascent Scholars Program

Cotopaxi Foundation